Attractions & Tours

Buryatia is a unique tourist destination. Due to its location, history and the beauty of the surrounding nature, our region offers a wide range of impressions.

Several times a year, Buryatia becomes the epicenter of major ethnic and cultural events that attract both foreigners and Russian travel lovers. Among them are such distinctive festivals and holidays as "The Voice of the Nomads", "Baikal Fishing", "Surkharban", "Baikal Wind", "Fairytale Sagaalgan", "Night of Yokhor", "Baikal Mile" and others a little less ambitious, but no less bright.
In the treasury of Buryatia, there are sports, music, ancient Buryat, Evenks, Old Believers, shamanistic holidays and festivals. During the holidays you can see the splendor of national costumes, get to know the original cultures, languages, cuisine, participate in contests and performances, enjoy throat singing, horse racing, archery, national wrestling, etc.
Feel the whole color of Siberia and the Far East, going on event tours in the republic! Buryatia is surprising!

Center of Buddhism in Russia

Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who lived in ancient India about two and a half thousand years ago, was nicknamed Buddha - "Awakened". Under this name, he went down in history, becoming the founder of one of the world religions. In Russia, Buryats, Kalmyks, and Tuvans profess it. The spiritual capital of the Buddhist traditional sangha of Russia is Ivolginsky datsan, opened in Buryatia in 1945. Here is the residence of the Pandito Khambo Lama - the head of the Buddhists of Russia. On the territory of the monastery, in addition to a dozen different temples (dugans), there are sacred stupas (suburgans), educational buildings of the first Buddhist university, the datsan history museum, art gallery, art workshop, hotel, and clergy houses.
Time flows especially slowly here. The architecture of buildings, their decor is unusual for the European eye. You can photograph the splendor of the monastery from the outside without restrictions, but as soon as you go inside the temple, please remove the camera, these are the rules. The original works of art that are stored inside a Buddhist temple will retain in one's memory forever.
Guided tours around Ivolginsky Datsan are held for visitors. You can even take part in rituals and ceremonies. Or receive the recommendations of a Buddhist astrologer, and their predictions surprisingly almost always come true. We also recommend visiting the healer lama.
The imperishable body of the 12th Pandito Khambo Lama Dasha — Dorzho Itigelov is stored in one of the dastan's temples. He went into nirvana in 1927: after lying in a cedar sarcophagus beneath the sod for 75 years, his remains are completely preserved and are now stored in the datsan, revered as a shrine. Scientists cannot explain this phenomenon. And believers from all over the world come to this lama: it is believed that he helps those who ask him.
Please do not think that the Ivolginsky datsan is the only Buddhist temple in the republic. The elegant roofs of datsans are everywhere. There are plenty of opportunities for deep meditation. Come to make sure that the quiet sounds of Buddhist mantras here strive to take shape and awaken some familiar song of the heart.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin

This famous monument to the leader of the proletariat breaks all records in the number of covers of local guidebooks. And how many photographs, selfies, postcards and magnets with the image of this monument scattered from Ulan-Ude around the world. The bronze head of Vladimir Lenin, installed in the center of the main square of the city on a marble pedestal, has been examining the city from 14 meters high with stern eyes for almost half a century.
But why the head, and not a bust, for example? Local guides say that perhaps the inspiration visited the author thanks to the profile image of Lenin on the anniversary rubles.
Usually, visitors wonder: how did they make such a sculpture? We answer: 106 pieces of a huge bronze statue were produced at the Mytishchi art casting plant, assembled and framed in two halves. In this "disassembled" form, the monument arrived in the city by rail, and then it went on a special trailer along Ulan-Ude. Here the head was finally mounted, assembled into one. The grand opening of the monument took place on November 2, 1971. Moreover, witnesses said that not all citizens liked the new product. Some were indignant: "Why did they execute the leader of the revolution?!"
It was or wasn't, but such Vladimir Lenin is only in Ulan-Ude. Come to us for a funny selfie, amazement, admiration, meditation at the right ear of Lenin's Head and enjoying the atmosphere of the city!

Buryat Cuisine

Buryat cuisine is one of the visitor attractions of the republic. Not tasting local dishes means not visiting Buryatia, not making sense of its essence. It's probably impossible to say that authentic Buryat cuisine is exquisite, but gourmets will be impressed because national dishes are a mixture of tastes, a bright holiday based on the simplest products.
The main products of the Buryat cuisine, like all nomadic peoples, have always been milk and meat. Milk and any food prepared from it are called "white" here and are especially revered in our region. Many different dishes are prepared from milk, from milk soups to milk vodka - Arkhi. But still, the main product of milk is butter. Everything that remains as a result of its preparation goes to the leaven - the initial product for all other sour-milk dishes. The quality of meat of Buryat breeds of cows, rams, and sheep has long been beyond the competition.
Remember that the residents of Buryatia are very hospitable and always have a generous table setting when guests arrive. Do not refuse an invitation to visit a Buryat family. So you get to know the traditions and culture of the people.
As for the city restaurants and cafes, they will easily demonstrate the richness of Siberian, Buryat, Mongolian cuisine, and prove that Buryatia is an island of delicious food.
These are exactly what is worth trying in Buryatia: juicy buuzas (steamed dumplings), crunchy khushuurs (meat pastry), yak tar, hot mutton soup, peasant Salamat (kind of porridge with flour and butter), sagudai (frozen raw fish) of Baikal fish, the liver in a shirt (grilled liver in interior fat), and for dessert - dried cream or Siberian berries with fragrant honey and pine nuts.

Buryat hospitality

Like all Siberian peoples, hospitality is the main tradition of the Buryats. And today, inviting a guest to a Buryat family, a family will do the honors of the house, observing customs. When entering a house or a yurt, do not forget to step over the threshold. In antiquity, it was believed that a guest who especially stepped on the threshold indicated bad intentions.
According to Buryat customs, any guest in the house is the most welcome and honorable one. And therefore they greet him with a Khatag (traditional ceremonial scarf) and white food. Khatag is such a long narrow silk scarf. It can be of any color, but most often blue, as a symbol of the eternal sky. "White" milk food means pure thoughts of the hosts and the wish of wealth to those who glanced at the light. Milk and dairy products are considered sacred among the Buryats. They are offered to the gods, the first to be put on the festive table.
Visiting a Buryat family, rest assured, a richly set table awaits you, always with fragrant buuzas or a hot buhler (soup with meat and potatoes). There will be a variety of snacks on the table. Know, even if you refuse to dine, a cup of freshly made tea with milk is still worth trying; otherwise you would greatly offend the landlady.
Having dined and wined a guest, they can offer you a game of dice. From time immemorial, this gambling fun accompanied the life of the nomadic Buryats. On long winter evenings, you could lose a cow and a goat in the bone!
Men have more serious games at sporting events in Buryatia - national wrestling, horse racing and archery on soft targets.
And, of course, not a single Buryat celebration can do without a Yokhor - a national circular dance. A master class on learning this dance will be taught by any resident of Buryatia!
And Buryats are very fond of singing, such cheerful people! Come in Buryatia for inspiration!

Ecotours

Specially protected natural reservations occupy about 10 percent of the area of ​​Buryatia: these are biosphere and state nature reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural monuments. By the way, Barguzinsky State Nature Reserve, the oldest one in Russia, is located on the territory of the republic. It was founded back in 1916 to protect the Barguzin sable. Today, the system ensures the preservation and maintenance of the natural ecological balance and is also a platform for organizing fascinating eco-tours in the region.
Modern visit — centers of reserves are equipped with the necessary technical capabilities to demonstrate the flora and fauna of the Baikal territory and to get acquainted with the unique nature of our region. The most popular tours today are ones to the Baikal Biosphere and Barguzin Nature Reserves.
And flower tours Buryatia offers in the summer are of great interest! Watching the riot of colors in the high meadows means to see a stunning sight of the color gamut of inflorescences: purple hyacinths, snakeheads and violets, white buckwheat and rhubarb, lilac geraniums, black strips of sedge, and all this against a background of emerald green!
Come down to see the cleanest lake on the planet - the majestic Baikal. The lake of hundreds of legends! Its nature is so beautiful that it bewitches anyone at any time of the year. Checked out!

Active tours

Water and mountain expanses of Buryatia attract a large number of tourists fond of active tourism. The geographic features of the region are such that there is plenty to choose from - to ride along the steep slopes of the Barguzin ridge, rafting along rugged mountain rivers or catching tenacious winds on the Baikal surface.
The main types of tours in Buryatia: in summer - rafting, horse riding, cycling, hiking tours, mountain biking. In winter - skiing, alpine skiing, and snowmobile tours. And all year round fishing!
Under the instruction of experienced guides, you will see the beauty of nature, which is breathtaking, and test yourself for strength. You will become a free bird!
Fancy conquering the highest peak in Buryatia - the eternally snowy Munku Sardyk (3491 m)? Conquer and return with eyes shining with delight, with new strength, new ideas! Let's get active at Baikal!

Medical tours

The effectiveness of Oriental traditional medicine techniques is widely known throughout the world. Demand for treatment in China or South Korea is consistently high. But few people know that Buryatia is also a serious player in the medical tourism market.
Largely thanks to the work of the Center of Oriental medicine. This medical institution specializes in the principles of oriental medicine and non-surgical treatment of diseases. This is the only state medical organization in Russia, based on the intersection of knowledge of modern and traditional medicine, and has its hospital.
Among the main activities of the Center are comprehensive diagnostics, medical rehabilitation and the production of phyto-collections.
For treatment, traditional medicine methods are used here: reflexology, manual therapy, massage, herbal medicine, hirudotherapy (leech therapy), osteopathy, and homeopathy. As well as balanced nutrition, physiotherapy exercises with elements of Wu Shu and Qigong gymnastics, climatotherapy, balneological mineral baths, herbal decoction baths, whirlpool baths, mud therapy, aromatherapy, music therapy. The programs of organism detoxification using traditional medicine methods, medical cosmetology, pharmacotherapeutic treatment, pharmacopuncture are in stable demand.
Buryatia offers its residents and guests unique services in the field of medical care. Come to Buryatia for health!

Events

Buryatia is a unique tourist destination. Due to its location, history and the beauty of the surrounding nature, our region offers a wide range of impressions. If your goal is to see and learn as much as possible interesting, new, to touch something exciting and unknown, then you are with us!
Several times a year, Buryatia becomes the epicenter of major ethnic and cultural events that attract both foreigners and Russian travel lovers. Among them are such distinctive festivals and holidays as "The Voice of the Nomads", "Baikal Fishing", "Surkharban", "Baikal Wind", "Fairytale Sagaalgan", "Night of Yokhor", "Baikal Mile" and others a little less ambitious, but no less bright.
In the treasury of Buryatia, there are sports, music, ancient Buryat, Evenks, Old Believers, shamanistic holidays and festivals. During the holidays you can see the splendor of national costumes, get to know the original cultures, languages, cuisine, participate in contests and performances, enjoy throat singing, horse racing, archery, national wrestling, etc.
Feel the whole color of Siberia and the Far East, going on event tours in the republic! Buryatia is surprising!